2011 Infiniti M56 Specs, Prices, Pics and Reviews

The 2011 Infiniti M37 and M56 replace the 2010 M35 and M45. The difference in name reflects switches to a 3.7-liter V-6 and a 5.6-liter V-8, both of which provide more power, as you'd expect.

Many other upgrades come with this complete redesign. (See the two model years compared.)

Though beautifully styled inside and outside, the redesigned 2011 Infiniti M sport sedan is frustrated by some quirks and glitches, and it's not as affordable as it used to be.

The M comes in three versions: the M37, M56 and an all-new hybrid version, the M35h. The gas-only versions are rear-wheel drive but offer optional all-wheel drive (designated by the "x" suffix). Unlike some competitors, including the BMW 5 Series and Acura TL, the M sedan doesn't offer a manual transmission. We tested the M37x and both the M56 and M56x, but did not drive the M35h.

Transmission Misbehavior

Though the car impresses, its sport-sedan billing leads me to start with my main complaint: The seven-speed automatic transmission has a chronic case of indecision. Stomp on the accelerator from a standstill, and all is well. Ditto for normal, sedate driving. But when the time comes to pass or get moving more quickly once you're already in motion, the car bogs down as the transmission hunts for a gear.

In this regard, Infiniti's earlier five-speed automatic was better. This pattern is all too familiar: Automakers make the change to higher gear counts for their automatic transmissions — for all of the undeniable benefits — and then the immediacy of the accelerator response suffers, an unacceptable and unnecessary tradeoff.

I cited similar frustrations with the competing BMW 535i's new eight-speed automatic, but the problem is more pronounced in the M37. Further, BMW's V-8 version, the 550i, performed much better, while the M56 exhibits the M37's same bad habits.

Unless you're content to take over shifting responsibility using the transmission's manual mode and gear selector (or shift paddles that come with the optional Sport Package), the best mitigation is the Sport mode on the center console's Infiniti Drive Mode Select knob. Along with making the accelerator pedal more sensitive, it makes the transmission hold onto lower gears longer, cutting down on the delay. But that also serves to decrease the M56's mileage, an already unimpressive 16/23 mpg city/highway with all-wheel drive or 16/25 mpg without. The M37x is rated 17/24 mpg, and the M37 is 18/26 mpg. The M35h hybrid gets an estimated 27/32 mpg.

To help drivers maximize mileage, IDMS also includes an Eco mode, along with Normal and Snow. Eco does the opposite of Sport. I found it most attractive when using the adaptive cruise control, because it kept the car from surging forward aggressively if the car ahead of me moved out of the lane. It also eliminated the system's tendency to slow or brake too aggressively when the lead car slowed. Unfortunately, on a highway trip in winter, the system failed completely because the bumper-mounted laser sensor became caked with ice, prompting a "Clean Sensor" alert on the instrument panel. This also meant the optional Forward Collision Warning had become disabled. When the sensor fails, you don't simply lose the adaptive operation; the cruise control quits altogether.

This might have been a rare and unlikely occurrence, but it's one I've never experienced with the more common radar-based active cruise control most brands employ.

Take the V-6

In what is becoming a common refrain, I'm pleased to report that you don't need a V-8 in this car. Between the M37's robust 330-horsepower V-6 and seven-speed transmission, it's more than quick enough, even for a luxury buyer. If you still want more power, perhaps to offset the added weight of all-wheel drive, the V-8 provides exhilarating performance and wonderful exhaust sound when running full-tilt. Learn More...

Source : http://www.cars.com

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2013 Infiniti JX Crossover Concept

Infiniti doesn’t exactly want for SUVs or crossovers, with the QX56, FX35/FX50, and EX35 all on its current roster. What the luxury brand does need, however, is a family friendly SUV or crossover, something to battle the Audi Q7 and Acura MDX, among others.

The QX is too huge and thirsty—not to mention too expensive—to fill the role; the twitchy, sporty FX lacks cargo space and a third row; and the five-seat EX is simply too small. Enter the JX.

The vehicle is for now technically a concept, but this is pretty much what you’ll see in production form at November’s L.A. auto show. It’s a three-row, seven-passenger family hauler, with space efficiency, convenience, and fuel economy as its priorities. Infiniti promises the JX will pack a “powerful V-6,” the displacement of which in liters is unconfirmed but probably rhymes with “pee-joint-jive.” Output should fall in the neighborhood of 290 hp, and since the JX will make use of Nissan’s D platform (Maxima, Murano), front-wheel drive will be standard. All-wheel drive will be an option.

The transmission is a “sport-tuned” continuously variable unit, which, if not for the existence of anaffordable, Toyota-based Aston Martin, would be the ultimate automotive oxymoron. But Nissan—Infiniti’s parent company—is one of very few automakers who have proven that it can do a CVT well, and the JX’s unit will incorporate a Sport mode that, when active, will cause the transmission to simulate a regular automatic. No specific number was given, but we’d guess seven or eight ratios will be plucked from the CVT’s theoretically infinite spread to act as the “fixed” gears, if only to keep up with competitors who boast similarly endowed conventional automatics.

Hybrid Could Arrive Soon

Infiniti has stated that hybrids will become an increasingly large part of its strategy. It offers only the M35hright now, and the JX seems a likely candidate to be the brand’s second gas/electric. It’s possible that a hybrid JX would use a smaller, more efficient V-6—the 2.5-liter already found in the G25 sedan, for example. Evidence to support this theory exists in trademark applications filed by Infiniti last summer, including one for “JX25h”.

Infiniti provided an official look at the interior, but we already knew what to expect up front thanks to spy shots captured earlier this summer. The dashboard will look instantly familiar to anyone who’s been in an Infiniti in the past few years, with the corporate steering wheel, shift knob, and gauge treatments all present. The center stack will undulate as it does in the brand’s other vehicles, with the volume and tuning knobs, radio presets, and CD slot on an upright face at the bottom; an angled slab housing the infotainment and HVAC controls above that; and the navigation and information screen at the top, flanked by two central vents. Some chassis adjustment (likely throttle response and transmission behavior) will be available via a knob mounted on the center tunnel. The cabin's most visually interesting element might be the slashes of wood cutting across the door panels.

Behind the front occupants, Infiniti is talking up the flexibility of the second and third rows. The company says that the second row will offer 5.5 inches of fore and aft travel, and that the JX will have “adult-sized” room in the way back. The middle row of seats will tilt and slide to aid ingress and egress to the third row. Goodies on offer will include blind-spot monitoring, Infiniti’s first application of cross-path detection—it watches for vehicles coming from the sides as you reverse—a 14-speaker Bose stereo system, a panoramic roof, and the recently announced Infiniti Personal Assistant service.

A Crescent for the Fertile

Infiniti describes the D-pillar treatment, previously seen on the C-pillars of the Etherea and Essenceconcepts, as a “crescent cut,” which sort of makes us want a Croissan’Wich. The pillar swoop is a bold hallmark that will spread to all future Infinitis, and it provides a dash of sizzle to a boring vehicle type. Some elements of the JX, especially in profile, remind us of the Dodge Durango (front fender sculpting) and the Mercedes-Benz GL-class (body-side crease, tall A-pillar), but that’s no knock. There are only so many ways to go about wrapping a two-box, seven-passenger SUV, and the JX does so in attractive fashion. Learn More...

Source : http://www.caranddriver.com

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2012 Infiniti FX35 / FX50 foto and info

The Infiniti FX is among the sportiest and style-focused crossovers, and while it can still turn heads three years after its last major redesign, it’s time for a refresh.

When the current model was released in 2009, we ordered one up for along-term test, and one of our favorite aspects was its sport-wagon-on-big-wheels look. This year, Infiniti carefully nipped and tucked, subtly tweaking the FX’s grille and front fascia while adding a limited-edition FX35 called the, uh, Limited Edition.

The 2012 FX’s new grille marks the biggest change, morphing from the 2011 car’s elegantly simple opening into a more aggressive, pinched form cribbed from Infiniti’s Etherea concept(which in turn borrowed its grille design from theEssence concept). In addition to its new shape, the grille now is made up of thin chrome slats instead of black mesh. The lower front fascia gets more visual oomph courtesy of thin bands of chrome outlining the fog-light nacelles. Unfortunately, the FX’s chrome fender vents survived the refresh. The interior largely was left alone save for the instrument cluster, which gets a classier-looking, white-on-blue information display between the gauges that replaces the garish orange-on-red unit from before. The 2012 FX35 still is powered by a 303-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine and available with rear- or all-wheel drive, while the FX50 carries over its 390-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 and standard all-wheel-drive.

Infiniti didn’t outline any specific equipment shuffling for the 2012 FX, but buyers can still spec their FXs with Premium, Deluxe, Touring, Technology, and Sport packages. As before, a bevy of highly annoying techno-gizmos is available, including active cruise control, lane-departure warning and prevention systems, brake assist, and collision warning. Every FX will come standard with Infiniti’s Personal Assistant, a phone-based 24-hour concierge service, which owners can call to get directions, emergency assistance, restaurant suggestions, and the like. While not touted as part of the press release, we know you can also use the PA to find answers to off-the-wall stuff like “Is cheerleading a sport?” or have the service check you in for a flight. The Personal Assistant service is free for the first four years.

Pricing Plus Limited Edition Deets

New this year, Infiniti will offer an all-wheel-drive FX35 Limited Edition trim that packs unique 21-inch turbine-look wheels wrapped in V-rated rubber, plus many of the FX’s more popular options, including adaptive headlights, navigation, and the Around View monitor. Any exterior trim bits that are chrome on normal FXs get a dark-graphite finish on the special FX35, of which just 550 will be built. Paired with the Iridium Blue paint that’s exclusive to the Limited Edition, the muted trim and wheels look great.

As to prices, they’re up only slightly over last year’s. The FX35 costs $850 more, which means $44,345 for a 2012 rear-driver and $45,795 for an AWD model. The 2012 FX50 jumps by $1750, to $60,245. The FX35 Limited Edition costs $52,445, the same amount required for a similarly spec’d 2011 FX35 (which means Deluxe Touring and Premium packages), with the added bonus that you’ll likely never see another one. The 2012 FX hits Infiniti dealerships in early October. Learn More...

Source : http://www.caranddriver.com

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2011 Infiniti G25 Specs, Prices and Reviews

The second-generation Infiniti G satisfies both the left and right brain: It's fun to drive and nicely appointed, yet it's reliable and less expensive than many competitors. If I age half so well, I'll die a happy man.

Starting MSRP $32,000 – $33,400

An entry-level G25 sedan and high-performance G37 IPL (for Infiniti Performance Line) are both new this year. The G37 remains available in sedan, coupe and retractable-hardtop convertible form, with all-wheel drive — denoted by an "x" — optional on the sedan and coupe. Sport and Limited editions are new this year. Click here to compare the G25 and G37. 

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